Working for a major corporation usually means having to put in hours that are dictated to you, and basically having very little freedom on the job.
There are some exceptions to the rule, though, and Uber appears to be at or near the top of the list.
Uber have created a way for people to make money by working whenever they want, and if you love driving and meeting people, it may be a perfect opportunity for you to put a little extra money in your pocket.
What is Uber?
We imagine that most of you are already aware of what Uber delivers, but for those of you unfamiliar with the brand, it can best be described as a taxi service for the smartphone generation.
Rather than falling under the taxi umbrella, though, Uber describes what they offer as “ridesharing.”
How it works is incredibly simple.
Users install the app on their mobile device, and when they need a ride, they click the Uber icon.
At this point, the location of the user is pinpointed by GPS, and drivers in the area are alerted to the fact that someone needs a ride.
When a driver accepts the gig, the user is shown a picture of the driver who will be getting them, as well as a potential cost, vehicle description, and a little map showing exactly where the car is en route.
How can drivers apply to drive for Uber?
The first thing that you need to do to start working as an Uber driver is to fill out the application on their website.
There are some restrictions in place here, such as:
- need to be 21 or older
- have a working smartphone
- a clean driving record
- the owner of a newer (2011-17 model year in most states). There is a way around this restriction, which we will discuss a little later
Once your application has been accepted, you can get started right away.
You set your own hours, so simply make it known within the app that you are on and ready to drive, making sure to set it to off once you are done for the day.
The beauty of setting your own hours is that you can become an Uber driver on a part-time basis, only working when you need a little extra money, or when you are sitting around doing nothing else.
The app keeps track of all the rides that you take, as well as the earnings, and you are issued a check each week for the money that you have earned.
Uber uses are required to input a valid debit or credit card before using the app, so you are never going to need to carry money or worry about someone skipping out without paying.
Maximizing Your Earnings with Uber
One of the most common questions that Uber driver have is in relation to their costs.
You are responsible for gassing up your vehicle, as well as for any wear and tear that may come with the territory.
If you plan on driving for Uber on a full-time basis, you may want to consider using their vehicle lease program.
With this option, you use one of their cars when you are ridesharing, which means your car remains fully intact.
They do take a percentage of your earnings here, so you may still want to go with your own vehicle.
If you do decide to go with your own ride, it makes sense that you would want a vehicle that is great on gas, and which has a low cost of ownership.
Take your pick of any of the vehicles in the Kia line-up, as they all fit this bill.
The Kia Forte is an excellent option, as it is a great looking vehicle that gets around 29 mpg combined.
According to Hyrecar.com, here are a few other ways to maximize your Uber earnings:
- Treat it like a business – You are your own boss when you drive for Uber, which essentially means that you are your own small business. With this in mind, you should be thinking about ways to set yourself apart from the competition. Keep in mind that users can rate your performance, and that Uber expects you to maintain a 4.6 out of 5-star rating. This can only be achieved if you deliver exceptional service. Think about how you can do that.
- Pack a lunch – If you were working a traditional 9 to 5 job, you might well pack a lunch to save you from wasting money at vending machines and fast food joints. You will get hungry and thirsty on the job, so be sure to take some food and water with you in the car. Every time you load up at a fast food joint or convenience store, you take a bite out of your earnings, so plan ahead.
- Anticipate the surge pricing – Uber does not always offer the same rate to its users, and will implement surge pricing when demand is particularly high. This often happens during holidays or times when a special event will see a lot of users jammed into one specific area. While Uber will alert drivers of potential surges and busy spots, it’s not always a good idea to go rushing off to those areas, as you can bet everyone will. Use the app to see where customers are, and try to anticipate demand and surge pricing. This can add to your weekly earnings in a big way.
Conclusion
While we have covered the basics of making money with Uber here, there is a lot to learn, and plenty of information online that will help you boost your potential earnings.
If you need to know more about which Kia cars might help with that, feel free to contact us here at the Kia-world.net, or follow this link to learn more about how can you make money driving for Uber.
